It’s hard to trust Notre Dame’s offense with so much production gone from last season’s playoff team. Plus, it’s not like starting QB Jack Coan was a difference-maker at Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Florida State’s defensive front is back almost intact and will key on Notre Dame RB Kyren Williams. This will be an old-school slugfest.

This is a play where quite honestly I'm looking at a number. Notre Dame games in 2020 only eclipsed over 55.5 total points in 33% of them in the regular season, and three of them were at home...not to mention many of those golden domers are in the NFL now as well. The Irish are on the road Sunday night where they have one thing in common with Florida State, both will see action from brand new QB's. Expect a little rust on both sides and remember, it will take 8 touchdowns and XP's total to beat us...and these two don't scream track meet.

A fever pitch could be reached by game time as FSU honors late coach Bobby Bowden. Whatever emotions are tapped into cannot compensate for the talent gap. Though Notre Dame must replace numerous contributors from a year ago, this is, after all, a CFP semifinalist against a three-win opponent. QB Jack Coan takes the helm from Ian Book. A former starter at Wisconsin, Coan is hardly flashy. The Seminoles yielded 6.5 yards per play and 36.0 points per game a year ago, so a conservative ND approach should suffice. The Irish defense compiled far better numbers than FSU’s, and, while 'Noles QB McKenzie Milton was superb while at Central Florida, he has not suited up since 2018. He may not even start.

OK, well I have to respond to Micah Roberts -- who, let's be clear, probably knows more about odds than I ever will. Completely disagree here. The Noles are gonna be scary good with McKenzie Milton, and the Irish have among the fewest returning starters in college football. New QB Jack Coan lost his job at Wisconsin. Not saying FSU will win but .. yeah. I'll happily take the points. Eighteen of the past 19 years an AP Top 10 wasn't ranked at end. If you watched Early Edge recently, I believe that's the Irish. Also believe Brian Kelly will be in the NFL after this year.

Florida State gets a chance for revenge after Notre Dame beat the Seminoles 42-26 last season in South Bend. On paper, Florida State coach Mike Norvell should produce much better results in his second season than last year (3-6). But I feel uneasy about the Seminoles' chances to compete due to several transfers, new recruits and no established identity. Notre Dame has nine new starters on offense, but the Irish have stability with Brian Kelly and his staff and a massive offensive line with star RB Kyren Williams back. Notre Dame to cover.